Ammonia on the rise

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Mystique, Jul 21, 2008.

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  1. Mystique

    Mystique Astrea Snail

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    Hurrah! So, I think that my tank is finally starting to cycle at just under 4 1/2 weeks. Today the ammonia tested a 1.5 mg/l.

    I know that there is no cut and dried answer, but on average, once started, how long does the cycle take?
     
    Mystique, Jul 21, 2008
    Mystique, Jul 21, 2008
    #1

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  2. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

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    Lots of variables that affect cycle time.
    How much live rock, live sand, etc..
     
    Bogie, Jul 21, 2008
    Bogie, Jul 21, 2008
    #2
  3. Mystique

    Mystique Astrea Snail

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    Just as I suspected....gonna have to just keep waiting. :)
     
    Mystique, Jul 21, 2008
    Mystique, Jul 21, 2008
    #3
  4. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Mine took about 4 weeks, but it really does range. I had cured lr.
     
    GuitarMan89, Jul 21, 2008
    GuitarMan89, Jul 21, 2008
    #4
  5. antonym518

    antonym518 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Tank specs? Everything.
     
    antonym518, Jul 21, 2008
    antonym518, Jul 21, 2008
    #5
  6. Mystique

    Mystique Astrea Snail

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    Location:
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    58 gal. tank, with 44 lbs of uncured lr, 80 lbs of aragonite sand. The sand was not live. I also have about 5 lbs of cured lr that has been in there for 3 weeks.

    Water parameters are:
    ammonia 1.5 mg/l
    nitrite less than .3 mg/l
    nitrate 10 mg/l
    pH 8
    Specific grav. 1.025

    I am using tap water atm, but am thinking I need to get a R/O unit. My water is naturally high in Nitrates, prolly should get one for drinking water anyway.
     
    Mystique, Jul 21, 2008
    Mystique, Jul 21, 2008
    #6

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  7. reeferjo

    reeferjo Plankton

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    IMHO sounds like your tank could take a while to cycle, Not alot of liverock and uncured can take some time depending on die off. When i set up my 75 i had about 65lbs dead base rock and 45lbs mixed cured/uncured lr took roughly 2weeks to cycle.

    Dont quote me but i thought you need more rock for an effective biofilter I would throw in at least another 15-20 lbs of cured lr.
     
    reeferjo, Jul 23, 2008
    reeferjo, Jul 23, 2008
    #7
  8. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    Yup, and that's for a FOWLR (one pound per gallon). I am converting to a reef tank and am going to have 1.75 to 2 lbs per gallon in the end. Make sure you get cured from here on out. Uncured, if put into your main tank before curing, will cause the cycle to extend or start over IMHO.
     
    PharmrJohn, Jul 23, 2008
    PharmrJohn, Jul 23, 2008
    #8
  9. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    Yup, every tank is different. Mine NEVER had a nitrite spike (in fact, it never got above 0). The ammonia NEVER got above 0.75. The only indication that my tank was cycling (cycled) was the nitrate level, which increased ever so gradually, then spiked to 100. I am in the middle of trying to get this down as we speak.

    My tank was weird. Definitely not the norm as I understood it. I credit the quality of live rock I procured. Remember.....just keep your bioload down for the first six months. When it cycles, I still wouldn't go more than one inch per six gallons for the next six months.
     
    PharmrJohn, Jul 23, 2008
    PharmrJohn, Jul 23, 2008
    #9